Shield and Glory

Shield and Glory

"But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the LORD, and He answered me from His holy mountain." Psalm 3:3-4

Sometimes I cry out to God and I don't hear an answer. Nothing. Absolute. Silence.

It lasts long enough for me to question, why am I not hearing from God?

Am I praying for the outcome I want--what I think is right?

"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death."
Proverbs 14:12, 16:25

Jesus taught us to pray...

"May Your Kingdom come soon May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10

Beside that, His way is better than mine.

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,' says the LORD. 'And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Am I praying with the right motive?

"People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives." Proverbs 16:2

Am I holding sin in my heart? That's a real impediment to God even hearing my prayers.

"Listen! The LORD's arm is not too weak to save you, nor is His ear too deaf to hear you call. It's your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore." Isaiah 59:1-2

David wasn't a perfect man. When he wrote Psalm 3 he was running for his life from his son. Absalom had turned enough people against his father and thought he had the power and influence to replace him as king. In the beginning verses, David's eyes were on his circumstances.

"O LORD, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, 'God will never rescue him!" Psalm 3:1-2

Though David sinned, he was quick to repent. God called him "a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do." (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) He remembered God is the answer. As in most instances in life, his circumstances didn't change for some time. Yet, David was able to sleep, knowing God was watching over him (verse 5).

Whenever we are in a position similar to David's--hounded by the enemy of our circumstances (health issues, threat to security, emotional wound from someone close)--the beginning of the answer is remembering God and who we are to Him. Because Jesus bought and paid for us with His blood, each of us is God's precious child. He doesn't go to sleep on guard duty.

"My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the One who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps." Psalm 121:2-4

Yes, it is God, our shield, watching over us and, in His time, He will reveal the answer to us.

"The LORD Himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever." Psalm 121:5-8

We just need to wait until He is ready to speak.

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me." Psalm 62:5-7

The answer, the victory, comes from Him.

"Victory comes from You, O LORD. May You bless Your people." Psalm 3:8

by Marilyn Allison

Don't Cry, Mom

Don't Cry, Mom

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house..." 1 Peter 2:5a

I know you and Dad saw a piece of our early childhood bruised and lonely. The subsequent owners neglected it like a stray cat. Its ribs were poking out, its rosy complexion, pale and lifeless. Your nostalgic ‘drive by’ led you to the ugliest house on the block. The cushy grass you often trampled to scoop us after a fall, is now crunchy and brown. The sidewalk where Dad chased close behind while I learned to ride my bike, is cracked and uneven. Not a trace of the tender attention you poured into it is reflected in life's rear-view mirror.

Don’t be sad.

That house wasn’t built to last. The present space--where your grandchildren gather to giggle and bake--won’t last either. The olive tree in the front that every neighborhood kid triumphantly climbed, has already passed away. The gaping hole where it once reached to the sky reminds me, life is a breath.

Houses of wood, stone and brick crumble. The branches of epic climbing trees rot away.

I want you and Dad to know one thing...

You’ve built a house for me more gorgeous than any Zillow listing...
A house built on Christ, the solid rock.

When you prayed over dinner, over sickness or at the foot of my bed as I drifted off…
A strong foundation was poured.

Prayer wasn’t only for hard times.
Prayer was for all times.
Prayer was for everything in my life.

When you brought us to spend long afternoons piecing together puzzles with widows like ‘Grandma Myrtle’, I didn’t understand…
A thoughtful frame was being pieced together.

Love is patient & kind.
Everyone is worthy.
I was worthy.

When you’d order bags of extra hamburgers at Burger King to hand out to the homeless man after church, I was unsure of the filthy, life-worn hands grabbing at the food…
Strong walls were being raised in my life-

God sees everyone.
God loves everyone.
God sees and loves me.

When I woke up exhausted the morning of my baptism--burdened with bad dreams--you helped me get dressed. You rolled down my ruffled sock whispering, ‘There’s an enemy. He doesn’t want you to get baptized. You cannot let him win"...
The roof of my spiritual house was secured.

I would experience fierce battles in my life.
My God was stronger and fiercer.
God made me strong and fierce.

Now that I’m a Mommy, I want my precious kiddos to dwell in a solid spiritual house like the one you created for me.  I thought of this as I baptized my children, your grandchildren, in the very backyard pool you’ve generously opened to friends and neighbors for the past thirty-two years. I felt God beaming with pride as Aaron and I dipped their precious heads back into the water.

The Great Commission starts in the home. I learned this from you. I’m aware God will equip us to build a spiritual house with a unique rhythm and calling.

But it’s not a new house.

We’re expanding the construction you’ve started--just as you added a fresh wing to what your parents crafted for you.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock”. Matthew 7:24-25

Mom and Dad, the rain has fallen, the floods have come, winds have blown and beaten on the house, but it has not fallen. It never will.

One day, we'll dwell in the house of the Lord together, forever.  The grass will never turn a dusty brown and paint will never peel. There will be more than one olive tree for your grandchildren, and their great grandchildren, to climb.

I imagine we'd have tears of joy...if tears were allowed. But they're not.
So don't cry Mom.

by Jenna Masters

Encouragement

Encouragement

"Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against His anointed one. 'Let us break their chains,' they cry, 'and free ourselves from slavery to God." Psalm 2:1-3

This verse sounds like today, doesn't it? Actually, David wrote this psalm during one of the many rebellions he experienced against his rule as king. Rebellion against God is as old as, well...Satan's rebellion in heaven,

"How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, 'I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High." Isaiah 14:12-14

Thrown out of his place in heaven, Satan set out to destroy God's creation in the Garden of Eden by corrupting the creature who was created in God's image--Adam and his helpmate, Eve. First, he provoked Eve to question God's word, then he tempted her in the way he always tempts mankind. 

"The. woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her." Genesis 3:6a

There it is. The three ways that generate all rebellion against God's order--the lust of the eyes (tree was beautiful), the lust of the flesh (fruit looked delicious), and the pride of life (wanted wisdom equal to or better than God). Eve chose to disobey God's command and believe Satan's lie, awakening in her a desire for the fruit of the tree. Temptation is ready to nail us when we choose to believe a lie. It takes choosing faith in Jesus to free us from the hold of sin and its consequences--to make us righteous.

God, the Creator of the universe, is sovereign. Every war from the beginning of time is a rebellion against His order. Consider the current state of the world. Threats of war abound across our planet, although the media of today spotlights only a few. Does the nightly news cause your stomach to churn? To fear? Be anxious? Fill you with discouragement?

We must remember Satan was put under a curse.

"Then the LORD God said to the serpent, because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel." Genesis 3:14-15

In this first prophecy about Jesus, God said Satan would wound Messiah's heel (the cross and resurrection), but Jesus would ultimately deliver a mortal blow to the enemy of God's holy purpose. 

Psalm 2 contains another messianic prophecy. Its initial intent was for David, but it also refers to the Son of David, who is the Lord, Jesus Christ, and the purpose of His coming at the end of days.

"...I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots." Psalm 2:8-9

Prophecy is encouragement to those of us looking for the blessed hope of Jesus'return. We must resist the temptation to fret when we hear reports of wars and rumors of wars. We must put our faith in God's promises and believe. We must fight against discouragement when we see certain nations lining up with the intent to eradicate Israel. God is not surprised, nor disheartened. He identified them long before in Ezekiel 38. And, when we witness the descent of our country from the place of moral influence and world power it once held, we should remember we are not mentioned in the prophecies of the end of days. Only God will stand with Israel and He will deliver them. 

What should we do? 

"Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling." Psalm 2:6

Serve the LORD.  What does that look like?

First and foremost, I believe, we are to exalt Him in worship, respectfully recognizing He is Holy...Almighty God...Creator of the universe...Father of Love.

And, we ought to pray.

Pray and love God with our whole hearts, minds and souls.
Pray and love others as we love ourselves.
Pray and humbly submit to His will in our lives.
Pray and stand firm in our faith in Jesus.
Pray and speak/share the truth in love.
Pray and shine the light of Jesus to all mankind.
Pray non-stop and constantly rejoice in Jesus and His finished work.
Pray and patiently endure ________(whatever God has called each of us to).
Pray and receive the comfort of the LORD.
Pray and comfort others with the comfort we've received--the hope that is in us.

Perhaps there has been no other time in our lives when prayer has become as vital as it is today. Jesus is coming again...soon. May He find us, His bride, expectantly waiting with abundant oil of the Holy Spirit in our lamps, spreading an incandescent message of forgiveness and hope.

"Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him." Psalm 2:12b

by Marilyn Allison

Light

"For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light." Psalm 36:9

The Lord alone can refresh and renew the weary sinner. He gives life that overflows with His love. He shines His light and chases away the shadows that cause fear of the unknown. His light chases the darkness from sorrow. The Light  is Jesus Christ and He opens our eyes to see the brash, the ugly and the invasive. Ugly intrusions try to draw attention away from what is good and lovely, and the everlasting hope we have in Jesus. 

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

The Light of Jesus shines helping us to see ourselves the way our Savior sees us. We are His Beloved and nothing in our past--no matter how haunting, or the present that seems daunting, or the future that is yet unknown--will ever dim His love for you, for me, and who we are in Him.

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."  1 Peter 2:9

Jesus shines His light on us and also gives us Living Water. It springs forth--washing us clean, fresh, new, life altering. It changes us from the inside out, overflowing every area of our life. His Living Water washes away fear, confusion, doubt, shame and self.

“But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 4:14

Do you know what it’s like to live in the Light of God? Are you thirsty or feel dirty? Come and drink, bask in the light of Jesus. He died for you. Don’t ever forget that. No amount of ignoring it--or saying it didn’t happen--will change the past. But Jesus changes everything. He did it for you. Won’t you come and walk in the Light that doesn't reveal the ugliness of your sin, but the beauty of His presence.

"How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights." Psalm 36:7-8

by Eve Montano

Joy

"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night." Psalm 1:1-2

A couple of weeks ago I was blindsided with an unexpected emotional wound. The weight of pain settled in on my spirit. Joy disappeared and fear gained a foothold. 

What do I do, LORD?

That was my prayer and my recognition of God's sovereignty in the matter. And...I went right back to evaluating the circumstances of my situation. I muttered.

Then, I became angry. It wasn't long before one negative thought led to another. The emotion kindled from heat toward the situation to a scorching focus on myself. Anger turned inward becomes depression and I was on the brink of a deep, dark hole.

What do I do, LORD?

Submit...delight...meditate...day and night. When I turned to God's word and pushed my self-focused thinking aside, He filled my thoughts with His hope.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and He will flee from you" James 4:7

This is my go-to verse to reject my flesh's invitation to hold a pity party.

Step one--submit to God's will--get my focus on the Lord and ask Him to bind the enemy from attacking and deceiving me.

Step two--delight myself in God's Word. When I do that I remember He is sovereign and nothing can come against me unless it passes through the veil of His love. When the trial comes, He allows it in order to teach and strengthen me in faith.

"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tested, He will show you a way out so that you can endure."
1 Corinthians 10:13

Step three--meditate on God's commands day and night (aka Love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, mind and soul, and love others as myself). Meditating brings forth praise and thanksgiving. It brings peaceful surrender to God's will for my life. The circumstances haven't changed, but I have.

I know this battle isn't unique to me. All of us are being purified in some way. We hold onto things  in the deep recesses of our minds and don't think they are a problem. Then God shines the light of His Holy Spirit on an attitude--a motive--and says "now is the time to give it to Me."

How blessed we are that the LORD watches over our paths. We will be like trees planted near a lively water source, bearing good fruit in its season. (Psalm 1:6, 3)

by Marilyn Allison